The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is designed to be repairable and customizable, which means you can upgrade it easily over time. It's more portable with a lighter weight and smaller size compared to the Lenovo Legion 7. However, the Legion 7 has more robust gaming capabilities with its Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics and a higher refresh rate screen, which makes it suited for intensive gaming and demanding graphics tasks. The tradeoff is that it's heavier and bulkier, which could be a downside if you value portability. Additionally, the Legion 7 comes with more storage and memory, which is beneficial for performance but contributes to its higher cost. If you prioritize longevity and portability and don't need high-end gaming specifications, the Framework might suit you better; if gaming or high-performance tasks are essential and you're okay with a heavier laptop, the Legion could be the better choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Very good portability
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 7
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
7.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion 7 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and a screen refresh rate of 60Hz, making it less suitable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks, while the Lenovo Legion 7 features a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 dedicated GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 165Hz, providing a much better gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
8.2/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion 7 is very good for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good.
The Lenovo Legion 7 offers stronger performance for engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and superior GPU compared to the Framework Laptop 13 (2023), which, while competent, has less RAM and relies on integrated graphics suitable for less intensive tasks. Despite the Framework's benefit in portability and potentially quieter operation, the Lenovo's superior screen quality alongside its performance capabilities makes it the preferred choice for more demanding engineering and design work.
Screen Quality
7.4/10
8.3/10
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
469.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion 7 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the Framework Laptop 13 offers a sharp image and bright display, which makes text and media look crisp and vibrant for everyday activities such as web browsing and document editing. Both the Framework and the Lenovo Legion 7 have displays that cover a wide range of colors suitable for engineering and design tasks, ensuring precise color work, such as photo editing or CAD modeling. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Legion 7's lower refresh rate compared to typical gaming laptops might not provide as smooth of an experience, which is critical for fast-paced games and fluid animation work.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo Legion 7 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Lenovo Legion 7 has very good build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,079
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the Lenovo Legion 7 costs $1,500.
The Lenovo Legion 7 and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.9/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Legion 7 and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.6/10
7.6/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Lenovo Legion 7 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
7.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion 7 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
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How the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the Lenovo Legion 7 compare to other laptops
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
"The Lenovo Legion 7 is a fast 16-inch gamer with 165 Hz display. The new Lenovo Legion 7 is a very good gaming notebook that, despite its comparatively compact compact 16-inch case, does not have to do without the most powerful components. Thanks to good cooling, no compromises are made in terms of performance. Both the Core i9-12900HX and the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti perform at a very high level."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the Lenovo Legion 7
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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